WASHINGTON, D.C. ─ Senate approval, by an
overwhelming 96-1 vote, of a measure allowing employers to retain temporary
foreign professionals would help continue America’s unprecedented economic
expansion, the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
said today. AILA also called upon Congress to approve other vitally needed
immigration bills.

“With the
bipartisan approval of S. 2045, sponsored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and
Spencer Abraham (R-MI), American industries, colleges and research institutions
will remain the envy of the world. This measure will help sustain our economic
grow by allowing businesses in such key industries as high-tech, manufacturing,
pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and education retain temporary foreign professionals. It also
will help American workers prepare for well-paying, high-tech jobs by funding
training programs for current employees and education programs for American
students,” said Margaret A. Catillaz, AILA’s President.

Catillaz said the House of Representatives
now must quickly take up and approve S. 2045. “Time is our biggest obstacle.
Congress is set to adjourn shortly. If the House does not approve S. 2045 by
the time that body adjourns, it will cause irreparable harm to our economy. We
urge House leaders to take S. 2045 to the floor for a vote immediately, and
ensure that Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) does not introduce H.R. 4227 as a
substitute,” Catillaz said. More than 400 corporations, research institutions
and trade associations earlier signed a letter to Congress urging that the
House reject H.R. 4227.

AILA’s President also urged
Congress to act on four other vitally needed immigration measure before it
adjourns. “While we hail today’s Senate vote and eagerly await a positive House
vote, we must not lose sight of the fact that Congress must address before it
adjourns four other important immigration matters: due process reforms of the
overly harsh 1996 laws, the restoration of Section 245(i), NACARA parity and
updating the registry date. This low a batting average wouldn’t cut it on the
Gold Medal winning U.S. Olympic baseball team, and it is not good enough for
lawmakers dealing with immigrants, their families and employers,” Catillaz
said. “We urge Congress to restore American values of law, justice and fairness
to our nation’s immigration system by passing much-needed reforms.”